Ricardo Contreras
President
Ricardo Contreras currently serves as Chief of Administration & Public Information at the Hidalgo County District Clerk Office. He was previously employed with the U.S. House of Representatives where he served in several professional capacities both in Capitol Hill and in the 15th Congressional District of Texas. Ricardo’s other professional experiences include serving as an AmeriCorps Program Director for Communities in Schools of Hidalgo and as a Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for a presidential candidate during the 2008 presidential election. He has also served in other local, state, and national campaigns both on a professional and voluntary basis.
Ricardo is most regarded for his passion for service and volunteerism in the community. Over the years he has given of his time and talents to numerous causes and charitable organizations in the area. Ricardo currently serves as President of the Board for the South Texas Literacy Coalition, a non-profit organization working to promote and enhance literacy skills and services for children, students and families in seven counties in the South Texas region.
Ricardo is a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin and currently resides in McAllen, Texas.
President
Ricardo Contreras currently serves as Chief of Administration & Public Information at the Hidalgo County District Clerk Office. He was previously employed with the U.S. House of Representatives where he served in several professional capacities both in Capitol Hill and in the 15th Congressional District of Texas. Ricardo’s other professional experiences include serving as an AmeriCorps Program Director for Communities in Schools of Hidalgo and as a Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for a presidential candidate during the 2008 presidential election. He has also served in other local, state, and national campaigns both on a professional and voluntary basis.
Ricardo is most regarded for his passion for service and volunteerism in the community. Over the years he has given of his time and talents to numerous causes and charitable organizations in the area. Ricardo currently serves as President of the Board for the South Texas Literacy Coalition, a non-profit organization working to promote and enhance literacy skills and services for children, students and families in seven counties in the South Texas region.
Ricardo is a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin and currently resides in McAllen, Texas.
Maria Elena Ovalle
Board Secretary, Treasurer & Financial Chair
Maria Elena Ovalle serves as Secretary and Acting Treasurer for the South Texas Literacy Coalition and is one of the STLC ‘s founding board members. She works to improve literacy in Deep South Texas by supporting the STLC in their programming for the community and in the organization’s governance and fundraising.
A native of Granjeno, Texas, Maria Elena holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Pan American University, a Master’s Degree in Science and Education from Pan American University, and a second Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin. In her professional career, she has taught high school Biology, has been a school librarian, a network specialist, and a regional coordinator for school library services. She has served on the executive boards of the Texas Library Association, the Texas Association of School Library Administrators, the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library Board, and is the current president of the Friends of the Edinburg Library Board.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, running, and painting. She currently lives in Edinburg, TX with her husband, and has two grown children and one granddaughter.
Board Secretary, Treasurer & Financial Chair
Maria Elena Ovalle serves as Secretary and Acting Treasurer for the South Texas Literacy Coalition and is one of the STLC ‘s founding board members. She works to improve literacy in Deep South Texas by supporting the STLC in their programming for the community and in the organization’s governance and fundraising.
A native of Granjeno, Texas, Maria Elena holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Pan American University, a Master’s Degree in Science and Education from Pan American University, and a second Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin. In her professional career, she has taught high school Biology, has been a school librarian, a network specialist, and a regional coordinator for school library services. She has served on the executive boards of the Texas Library Association, the Texas Association of School Library Administrators, the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library Board, and is the current president of the Friends of the Edinburg Library Board.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, running, and painting. She currently lives in Edinburg, TX with her husband, and has two grown children and one granddaughter.
Katelynn Renteria
Member, Co-chair Programming Committee
A native of The Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Katelynn Rentería is an award-winning author with a deep passion for writing. Ranked as valedictorian of her graduating high school class, Katelynn is a true advocate for literacy and is the 2017 recipient of the Literary Classics Book Awards: Silver Award for the Middle School division for her first published novel. She wrote her first manuscript at age 14 and published her first book, “The Other Side of the Law”, at age 16, which was featured as the Weekly Top Seller after its release, and was featured on the Top 50 Best Sellers List of 2019 from her current publisher.
She loves to visit South Texas campuses to give presentations advocating literacy, and motivates students to read, write, and always move forward in accomplishing their goals. Katelynn is currently writing her second novel, the sequel to her first, and is now a self-published author.
She works as a freelance writer for various media outlets and independent entities, and has earned an Associate's of Science Degree in Biology, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, summa cum laude, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Experimental Psychology.
Member, Co-chair Programming Committee
A native of The Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Katelynn Rentería is an award-winning author with a deep passion for writing. Ranked as valedictorian of her graduating high school class, Katelynn is a true advocate for literacy and is the 2017 recipient of the Literary Classics Book Awards: Silver Award for the Middle School division for her first published novel. She wrote her first manuscript at age 14 and published her first book, “The Other Side of the Law”, at age 16, which was featured as the Weekly Top Seller after its release, and was featured on the Top 50 Best Sellers List of 2019 from her current publisher.
She loves to visit South Texas campuses to give presentations advocating literacy, and motivates students to read, write, and always move forward in accomplishing their goals. Katelynn is currently writing her second novel, the sequel to her first, and is now a self-published author.
She works as a freelance writer for various media outlets and independent entities, and has earned an Associate's of Science Degree in Biology, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, summa cum laude, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Experimental Psychology.
Molly Walter
Member, Co-chair Programming Committee
Molly Walter grew up in LeGrand, Iowa.
From 2001 to 2002, Molly served in the AmeriCorps NCCC in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2004, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Middle Level Education and Literacy from the University of Northern Iowa. Molly taught middle school in Lancaster, California and Minneapolis, Minnesota from 2004 to 2006. She also served in the Peace Corps in Belize as a Teacher Trainer and Community Development Worker from 2006 to 2008. In 2009, Molly earned her Master’s degree in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona.
From 2010 to 2012, she worked as the Youth Librarian at the Harlingen Public Library and from 2013-2013, she worked as the Children’s Librarian in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. In 2017, Molly returned to the Harlingen Public Library as the Assistant Library Director where she has been serving ever since. Molly enjoys running, reading, and the outdoors. She lives in Harlingen with her husband, Ted, and their two kids, Abigail and Benjamin.
Member, Co-chair Programming Committee
Molly Walter grew up in LeGrand, Iowa.
From 2001 to 2002, Molly served in the AmeriCorps NCCC in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2004, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Middle Level Education and Literacy from the University of Northern Iowa. Molly taught middle school in Lancaster, California and Minneapolis, Minnesota from 2004 to 2006. She also served in the Peace Corps in Belize as a Teacher Trainer and Community Development Worker from 2006 to 2008. In 2009, Molly earned her Master’s degree in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona.
From 2010 to 2012, she worked as the Youth Librarian at the Harlingen Public Library and from 2013-2013, she worked as the Children’s Librarian in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. In 2017, Molly returned to the Harlingen Public Library as the Assistant Library Director where she has been serving ever since. Molly enjoys running, reading, and the outdoors. She lives in Harlingen with her husband, Ted, and their two kids, Abigail and Benjamin.
Kristy De La Garza
Member
Kristy De La Garza is a 14-year veteran educator who is currently the Region One GEAR UP Facilitator for Johnny G. Economedes High School in Edinburg, Texas. She has taught science for numerous years as well as served as a College and Financial Aid Officer for Edinburg schools. Kristy has served as the Edinburg C.I.S.D. Secondary District Teacher of the Year.
Prior to her work in education, Kristy served as the Director of Development for Texas A&M University’s parental education initiative, “Abriendo Puertas / Opening Doors.” Here, she focused on educating and empowering parents to learn about post-secondary opportunities available for their children and provided them with the education, guidance, and tools to assist their children in seeking out a post-secondary education and career path.
She attended Baylor University and The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and Human Services as well as a Masters in School and Licensed Professional Counseling degree.
Kristy is a VAMOS Scholarship Mentor and serves as a board member for the South Texas Literacy Coalition. She is also a member of American School Counseling Association and is the recipient of the Congressional Award for Community Service.
Member
Kristy De La Garza is a 14-year veteran educator who is currently the Region One GEAR UP Facilitator for Johnny G. Economedes High School in Edinburg, Texas. She has taught science for numerous years as well as served as a College and Financial Aid Officer for Edinburg schools. Kristy has served as the Edinburg C.I.S.D. Secondary District Teacher of the Year.
Prior to her work in education, Kristy served as the Director of Development for Texas A&M University’s parental education initiative, “Abriendo Puertas / Opening Doors.” Here, she focused on educating and empowering parents to learn about post-secondary opportunities available for their children and provided them with the education, guidance, and tools to assist their children in seeking out a post-secondary education and career path.
She attended Baylor University and The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and Human Services as well as a Masters in School and Licensed Professional Counseling degree.
Kristy is a VAMOS Scholarship Mentor and serves as a board member for the South Texas Literacy Coalition. She is also a member of American School Counseling Association and is the recipient of the Congressional Award for Community Service.
Dahlia Guerra
Member
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, pianist, is a native of Edinburg, Texas. She is a Professor in the School of Music and holds the position of Assistant Vice-President of Public Art at the University of Texas Grande Valley. As a musician and concert pianist, she has devoted her life to promoting the value of the creative and liberal arts in education, stressing the tremendous impact of an arts education on the developmental growth of every child.
Much of Dahlia Guerra’s work has been based on preserving cultural strengths and traditions to empower a diverse student body, and she has a strong record of success as an educator in South Texas. She is the founder of the Mariachi Aztlán, a nationally award-winning student ensemble that has performed for audiences throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Dr. Dahlia Guerra founded and has been the director of FESTIBA (Festival of International Books and Arts) for the past ten years, celebrating the arts and humanities while promoting literacy in South Texas. As a member of the City of Edinburg community, she has served as President of the South Texas Literacy Coalition and is passionate about promoting early childhood literacy. She is the past Chair of the Cultural Activities Board of the City of Edinburg and is devoted to providing cultural arts activities to the community to enhance the quality of life in South Texas.
She was named 2014 Cultural Leader of the Year by the Valley Symphony Orchestra, 2014 Woman of Distinction by the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as a Literacy Champion by the South Texas Literacy Coalition in 2015.
Member
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, pianist, is a native of Edinburg, Texas. She is a Professor in the School of Music and holds the position of Assistant Vice-President of Public Art at the University of Texas Grande Valley. As a musician and concert pianist, she has devoted her life to promoting the value of the creative and liberal arts in education, stressing the tremendous impact of an arts education on the developmental growth of every child.
Much of Dahlia Guerra’s work has been based on preserving cultural strengths and traditions to empower a diverse student body, and she has a strong record of success as an educator in South Texas. She is the founder of the Mariachi Aztlán, a nationally award-winning student ensemble that has performed for audiences throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Dr. Dahlia Guerra founded and has been the director of FESTIBA (Festival of International Books and Arts) for the past ten years, celebrating the arts and humanities while promoting literacy in South Texas. As a member of the City of Edinburg community, she has served as President of the South Texas Literacy Coalition and is passionate about promoting early childhood literacy. She is the past Chair of the Cultural Activities Board of the City of Edinburg and is devoted to providing cultural arts activities to the community to enhance the quality of life in South Texas.
She was named 2014 Cultural Leader of the Year by the Valley Symphony Orchestra, 2014 Woman of Distinction by the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as a Literacy Champion by the South Texas Literacy Coalition in 2015.
Macarena Hernandez
Member
Macarena Hernández is a multimedia journalist and educator. A former editorial columnist at The Dallas Morning News and the Rio Grande Valley Bureau Chief for The San Antonio Express-News, she’s covered issues such as immigration and education extensively. Most recently she was the Fred Hartman Distinguished Professor of Journalism at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Her work has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, PBS and other media outlets.
Macarena, who was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, has a B.A. in English Professional Writing and Journalism from Baylor University, and a Masters in Journalism from University of California, Berkeley.
Member
Macarena Hernández is a multimedia journalist and educator. A former editorial columnist at The Dallas Morning News and the Rio Grande Valley Bureau Chief for The San Antonio Express-News, she’s covered issues such as immigration and education extensively. Most recently she was the Fred Hartman Distinguished Professor of Journalism at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Her work has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, PBS and other media outlets.
Macarena, who was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, has a B.A. in English Professional Writing and Journalism from Baylor University, and a Masters in Journalism from University of California, Berkeley.
Sandra Alaniz
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Pat Barrientos
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Kendra De La Garza
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Josh Lee
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Vanessa Saenz
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Marco Trevino
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